This website contains information about the “Positioning Level V Qualification in BiH” project that is funded by European Union (EU).

The total value of the project is 115.777EUR and the project is 80% financed by the EU. The coordinator of the project is International University of Sarajevo (IUS)

This is a two year project and it started in June 2013.

The goal of this project is to position level V education by creating a model for designing and implementation of such programs. Within the piloting of this model, we will design a level V curriculum for the wood and furniture industry. We will also design and deliver a curriculum for training of the trainers (high school teachers) that will deliver this level V program. Both of the curricula will aim to be highly practical and they will be designed with inputs from industry and other relevant bodies.

This project will reduce the labor market mismatch by providing trainees that will be immediately employable by the wood working industry. This will result in reduction of unemployment.

The program defines fifth level of studies, and as such new policies would be defined to govern all rulings regarding the study program. This would include legislation in form of laws from the Ministry of Higher Education regarding this program, and this legislation would represent a model for other institutions to follow.

The project will also help improve overall economic situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina for employers and future employees, since it partially relies on cooperation between the education institutions and the industry. The program would help produce trained technicians, qualified to respond to the current needs of the industry, with latest, updated knowledge and experience. In such a way, the program would increase chances for employment to all those attending the program, as it would expose them to current technologies and introduce them to modern approaches which are nowadays practiced in the industry. Certain level of hand-on would also be provided, as program partially relies on cooperation with the industry. This would lead to better employment, and as such better economic ratings. The expected impact of the action aims to reduce the unemployment in BiH as a result of lifelong learning programme.

Furthermore, improved economic state would have direct impact on overall society. Society would benefit by having more educated individuals, more educated teachers and higher quality domestic products on the market. The trained teachers would bring refreshment to the schools, and as such produce better high school graduates. The students which are unable to further studies in universities might see a chance of personal improvement by attending the program.

As BiH is in need of qualified workers, this programme would help in educating large number of people who have completed high schools but are not able to go to universities to obtain university degree, and at the same time cannot find work due to inadequate education. Level V education programme would raise the number of qualified workers which should result in decrease in unemployment. One of the main aims is to develop a successful model that will produce skilled workers through education and traineeship program. The skills acquired through Level V education will greatly increase one’s chance to find a job.

“This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of International University of Sarajevo and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.”